Cement Mason Apprenticeship

Did you know?*

Job opportunities are expected to be good, especially for those with the most experience and skills.
Most learn on the job or though a combination of classroom and on-the-job training that can take 3 to 4 years.
Cement masons often work overtime, with premium pay, because once concrete has been placed, the job must be completed.

*Statistics retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What Does a Cement Mason Do?

Cement masons finish the exposed concrete surfaces on many types of construction projects from finishing patios, floors and sidewalks to work on dams, concrete highways and airport runways. Cement masons do concrete work in the residential field (basement and driveway work) but the majority of their work is in commercial and industrial buildings. They spread concrete to specified depth and workable consistency using a float to bring water to the surface and produce soft topping. They level, smooth and shape surfaces of freshly poured concrete using straightedge, float or power screed. They finish concrete surfaces using power trowel, or wet and rub concrete with abrasive stone to impart finish. They remove rough or defective spots from concrete surfaces using power grinder or chisel and hammer. They patch holes with fresh concrete or epoxy compound and mold expansion joints and edges using edging tool, jointer and straightedge. They install seamless composition floors and install and finish epoxy-based coatings or polyester-based linings to all surfaces when same are applied by rolling, brushing, spraying or troweling. They apply penetrating sealer or protective primer coatings to concrete floors and steps when such is a part of the cement finishing process. Cement masons also install self-leveling gypsum floors and sets all screeds. They may sprinkle colored stone chips, powdered steel or coloring powder on concrete to produce prescribed finish. They produce rough concrete surface using a broom, may mix cement using a hoe or concrete mixing machine and may direct subgrade work, mix concrete and set curb, gutter, sidewalk and pavement forms one (1) board high up to twelve (12) inches.

Tasks:

Level concrete, including: establish benchmarks on the job site, level sub grade, level with laser or transit, establish grade lines and heights, construct and set screeds and forms, form a catch basin, place expansion joints, install reinforcements, check forms and reinforcing steel, complete a final check of levels, apply admixtures, identify types of concrete mix, test, place and rough concrete, make wet screed line, screed off, cross darby or bull float concrete.
Finish and cure concrete, including: finish edge and tool joints, finish behind a curb or paver machine, hand float and power float concrete, prepare wet surface treatment, hand trowel and power trowel concrete, cure concrete with chemical membrane, wet cure concrete, finish foundations, walls and ceilings, finish curbs, gutters, finish driveways and sidewalks, finish basements, garage floors and stoops, finish slab on grade, topping and deck pours.
Cut, repair, and resurface concrete including: determine joints and spacing. Cut control joints manually and with a power tool, clean out cuts & fill cuts, inspect concrete, remove bumps and laitance, clean concrete surface, treat and re-seal surfaces, rough concrete surfaces, bond materials to concrete, re-surface concrete, patch cavaties, grind and rub concrete surfaces, cure resurfaced areas.
Create architectural finishes, including: pre-test sample surface, sandblast concrete structures, acid-etch concrete, expose aggregate by spraying and washing, proved surface texture, texture and pattern concrete, including stamp and stencil, create burlap and broom finish, color concrete and panels, set metal channels, brush hammer concrete.
Interpret blueprints including: associate symbols to objects, identify dimensions of concrete related components, locate job requirements from specifications book, examine cross sections for elevations, dimensions and locations of concrete members, check local code requirements, plan a job from a highway plan that includes a bridge and exit ramp, establish grades and elevations from prints, locate specific building (or job site) components on a blueprint.

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What Are the Working Conditions?

The outdoor work requires prolonged standing, kneeling, climbing, balancing, stooping, squatting, bending and lifting heavy materials weighing up to 100 lbs. The physical ability is a very serious consideration since this is a daily requirement until retirement. Cement Masons must be able to tolerate loud noise, exposure to all types of weather and high exposed areas, and tolerate repetitive reaching and handling motion.

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How is the Training Structured?

3 year training program
4,000 hours on-the-job training
400 hours paid related instruction
The apprentice shall attend night school on his/her own time
The apprentice must complete Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and the OSHA Certificate courses
The apprentice in his/her final year must participate in the Transition-To-Trainer Course

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What are the Application Requirements?

Applicants must be at least 18 or 16 and 17 years of age with parental/guardian consent
High school diploma or equivalent
Meet required norms on aptitude test (if required)

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What Skills Should I Possess?

Knowledge of building and construction- basic knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures.
Mathematics-knowledge of mathematics, including measuring, counting, basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, calculate ratios, percentages, and dimensions with and without the aid of a calculator.
Active listening- giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination- adjusting actions in relations to others' actions.
Time Management- managing one's own time and the time of others.
Attention to Detail- job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Analytical Thinking- job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Dependability- job requires being reliable, responsible, dependable, fulfilling obligations and the ability to work with little or no supervision.
Performing general physical activities- job requires performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as: climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Reading- ability to read signs, blueprints/diagrams, and technical manuals.
Stamina- the ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
Strength- the ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly.

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Who Should I Contact In My Area?

Choose your area: Northeast | Northwest | Southeast | Southwest

Northeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
WI River Valley Area Masonry JAC	1000 Campus Dr Wausau, WI 54401 Phone: (715) 675-3331	Ben Stahlecker
Northeast WI Area Masonry JAC	P.O. Box 19042 Green Bay, WI 54307-9042 Phone: (920) 437-9311 Fax: (920) 437-6091	Burt Harding

Northwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Burt Harding Ben Stahlecker
Northwestern WI Area Masonry JAC	2233 Birch Street Eau Claire, WI 54703 Phone: (715) 835-5164 Fax: (715) 835-7788	Travis Ludvigson
WI River Valley Area Masonry JAC	1000 Campus Dr Wausau, WI 54401 Phone: (715) 675-3331	Ben Stahlecker

Southeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Sandy Destree Sandy Brietzman
Madison Area Cement Masonry JAC	1201 Post Rd Madison, WI 53713 Phone: (608) 288-0599 Fax: (608) 288-0598	Debbie Schanke
Milwaukee Area Cement Masonry JAC	2360 N. 124th St. #200 Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Phone: (414) 607-6967 Fax: (414) 607-6974	Kay Haishuk
Tri-County Area Trowel Trades JAC	3030 39th Av Kenosha, WI 53144 Phone: (262) 654-1680	Sandy Brietzman

Southwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan Mary Harrington
La Crosse Area Masonry JAC	1920 Ward Ave Suite 2 La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 787-0500	Kathy O'Sullivan
Madison Area Cement Masonry JAC	1201 Post Rd Madison, WI 53713 Phone: (608) 288-0599 Fax: (608) 288-0598	Debbie Schanke

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Additional Resources

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains information on all occupations. For more information on the Carpentry trade in the United States, visit:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos204.htm

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Sources: Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Position Descriptions,
Apprenticeship in Wisconsin Handbook